Cobie Smulders Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / August 5, 2024
Cobie Smulders Then
Cobie Smulders, born Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders on April 3, 1982, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, hails from a diverse background with a Dutch father and a British mother.
She was raised in the White Rock neighborhood before moving to West Point Grey, where she attended Lord Byng Secondary School.
Smulders’ upbringing in Vancouver provided a foundation for her future in the entertainment industry.
During her youth, Smulders was actively involved in the Girl Guides of Canada, an experience that contributed to her development and discipline.
She also dabbled in modeling, an endeavor she found less fulfilling, which led her to question her interest in show business.
Despite this, her passion for performing was ignited through her participation in high school theater productions.
After graduating from high school, Smulders initially enrolled at the University of Victoria, pursuing higher education with the intention of exploring various career options.
However, her burgeoning interest in acting led her to make a pivotal decision: she left university to focus on her acting career.
This choice marked the beginning of her journey into the world of entertainment, where she would eventually achieve significant success.
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Cobie Smulders Acting Career
Cobie Smulders began her acting career with modest beginnings, securing a small role in an episode of the Showtime series Jeremiah.
Her early roles also included recurring parts on The L Word and Veritas: The Quest.
These early experiences provided her with a solid foundation and helped her gain experience in the industry.
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Smulders’ big break came in 2005 when she was cast as Robin Scherbatsky on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
Her portrayal of the ambitious and quirky news anchor earned her widespread recognition and acclaim.
The show enjoyed critical and commercial success throughout its nine-season run, winning 10 Emmy Awards.
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Smulders’ role in the series solidified her place in Hollywood and allowed her to showcase her comedic talent.
While working on How I Met Your Mother, Smulders expanded her acting repertoire by taking on diverse roles.
She appeared in the off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore in 2010, demonstrating her versatility beyond television.
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Her career took another significant leap when she was cast as Maria Hill in the 2012 film The Avengers.
To prepare for the role, she underwent rigorous training with a Los Angeles SWAT team, highlighting her commitment to authenticity in her performances.
The role of Maria Hill became a defining part of her career, leading to appearances in several Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: Far From Home.
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Her portrayal of Hill contributed to her growing fame and established her as a prominent figure in the superhero genre.
Smulders’ career continued to flourish with a range of film and television roles.
In 2013, she played a supporting role in the romance film Safe Haven, followed by roles in Delivery Man and They Came Together.
She also ventured into voice acting with a role in The Lego Movie (2014), where she voiced Wonder Woman.
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Though she had to step away from a role in Confirmation due to a leg injury, her career remained vibrant.
In 2016, Smulders starred in the comedy-drama The Intervention alongside a notable cast including Natasha Lyonne and Ben Schwartz.
She also appeared opposite Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.
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Her television work included a role as a mother in the Netflix series A Series of Unfortunate Events and a key character in Friends from College (2017).
In 2019, Smulders took on the lead role in the ABC crime drama Stumptown, portraying Dexedrine ‘Dex’ Parios, a veteran with PTSD.
This role showcased her ability to handle complex characters and solidified her status as a versatile and accomplished actress.
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Cobie Smulders Movies
- The Avengers (2012)
- Safe Haven (2013)
- Delivery Man (2013)
- They Came Together (2014)
- The Lego Movie (2014) – Voice role
- Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
- The Intervention (2016)
- The Lego Batman Movie (2017) – Voice role
- Stumptown (2019)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Cicada (2020)
- Sharp Corner (2024)
Cobie Smulders Personal Life
Cobie Smulders met actor, writer, and comedian Taran Killam in 2005 at a friend’s party, and their relationship quickly developed.
They became engaged in January 2009 and married in California in September 2012.
The couple has two daughters, born in 2009 and 2015, and they reside in Pacific Palisades, California.
Their family life has been a source of stability and joy amid Smulders’ demanding career.
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Smulders faced a significant personal challenge when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 25 while filming How I Met Your Mother.
The diagnosis came after she had already undergone surgery to remove ovarian tumors, but the cancer had spread.
Over the next two years, she underwent several additional surgeries to combat the disease.
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Despite these hardships, Smulders made a public announcement in 2019 that she was in remission, demonstrating her resilience and strength.
In addition to her acting career, Smulders is actively involved in charitable causes.
She worked with Oceana, an international ocean conservation organization, in 2014 to produce a public service announcement promoting ocean conservation.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, she used her platform to support various causes by releasing a parody clip of a song from How I Met Your Mother to encourage staying at home.
Her philanthropic efforts extend to organizations like Save the Children, Canada Helps, and the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Smulders has also supported environmental conservation through her involvement with National CleanUp Day, Clean Trails, and Planet Oat, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact on both people and the planet.
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Cobie Smulders Now
Cobie Smulders, at 42 years old, continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
She is widely recognized for her role as Robin Scherbatsky in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, a character that earned her significant acclaim and fan appreciation.
In addition to her work on television, Smulders has gained considerable fame for her portrayal of Maria Hill, a key S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with her role in The Avengers.
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Her involvement in the MCU has solidified her status as a versatile actress capable of handling both comedic and action-oriented roles.
Recently, Smulders starred in the 2024 film Sharp Corner, showcasing her ongoing commitment to exploring diverse and engaging roles.
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This project highlights her continued relevance and adaptability in a constantly evolving industry.
Smulders’ career remains dynamic, with her past achievements in television and film continuing to pave the way for new opportunities and projects.
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Cobie Smulders Net Worth
Cobie Smulders, a Canadian actress with a net worth of $25 million, has built her wealth through a successful career in television and film.
Her notable roles, including Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother and Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, have contributed significantly to her financial success.
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FAQs
Neil Patrick Harris and Cobie Smulders share a close friendship, strengthened by their years working together on How I Met Your Mother. There’s no public indication of romantic involvement between them.
Cobie Smulders was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her mid-20s. She underwent multiple surgeries and announced in 2019 that she was in remission.
As of now, Cobie Smulders has not officially retired from her role as Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though her appearances have been less frequent recently.
Cobie Smulders was in her early to late 20s throughout the run of How I Met Your Mother, which aired from 2005 to 2014.
Cobie Smulders continues to act, with her most recent project being the 2024 film Sharp Corner. She remains active in both film and television.
Yes, Cobie Smulders is still married to Taran Killam, with whom she tied the knot in September 2012.
Yes, Cobie Smulders has two daughters, born in 2009 and 2015.